Ann Chauvin: Woodley House
A casual interview with a neighborhood leader
Introduction:
It was years after I moved to Woodley Park that I learned about Woodley House, even though I live nearby. Woodley House has been a quiet pillar of our community, enabling residents with mental health disorders to live healthy and dignified lives by providing supportive housing and services since 1958.
The more I’ve come to know Woodley House, the more I’ve come to admire and appreciate them as neighbors. I thought it would be nice to meet some folks involved, and so I asked if I could interview Ann Chauvin, Executive Director of Woodley House.
Interview:
1. To kick things off, can you share a bit of your personal journey — how did you get to where you are in life?
I knew from as far back as I can remember that I wanted to work with people who have mental health disorders. From my college education and through all of my work experiences, the most critical piece to healing and recovery is having a safe place to live. So I have always worked for non-profits that provide both housing and support services.
One of my uncles had a significant mental health disorder with psychosis. I always connected with him and could not understand why others didn’t want to be around him. My grandmother cared for him in her home — options being so limited. Later in life, he was able to move to a group home (in California) like Woodley House and he was so incredibly happy there. I often think about him and want all of our residents cared for the way he was.
Also, I was enamored with a TV show — The Bob Newhart Show, where he played a clinical psychologist and did group therapy as well as individual therapy, and I wanted to be a psychologist like him. I turned out to be a clinical social worker (no dissertation required!) with a mental health specialization — and I do love facilitating therapeutic groups!
2. Woodley House has been “providing homes for dignity and community” since 1958. What drew you to Woodley House and what energizes you day-to-day?
After moving to the DC area from upstate NY in 1991, my former boss recommended I check out one of the Woodley House programs because she had a friend who was running it. They were both former nuns and left the convent together, so I thought that was good advice. She thought I would love it and was correct!
3. What’s a typical day for you? And for Woodley House?
For me, a typical day is wearing many hats as one would expect at a small non-profit community-based organization — overseeing our programs, finances, Human Resources, facilities/property management, and doing my best to stay abreast of external environmental changes that can and/or do impact our work. Current threats to our government funding are very concerning right now.
I have to say that every day I think about how fortunate I am that I get to do work that I love. I am also grateful that I have a lot of flexibility at Woodley House with how and where I work. Being able to do virtual meetings from my home in Arlington means I can be a TON more productive and attend a lot more meetings. I keep pretty regular hours and try to walk what I preach about work/life balance. Of course, I have occasional evening meetings or evening events or weekend events, but my husband and I try to make sure we have dinner together most days.
When I come in to D.C., I’m frequently here just to spend time with Woodley House staff and residents in Woodley Park and our other neighborhoods. Woodley House leases space right across the street from the Zoo entrance, where we have an apartment for a few of our Supported Independent Living residents, as well as a small administrative office. I go to Valenti House and Crossing Place (both in Woodley Park) the most, but try to get to the other locations at least every couple of months. Seeing our programs and facilities in person also helps me make sure they have what they need and that repairs are getting done.
A typical day at Woodley House involves ensuring our residents have everything they need — from a safe, comfortable home and adequate food to the right level of supports they need to thrive and grow.
At the group homes, staff: monitor residents’ medications, prepare meals, make sure residents get to appointments, help make their appointments. Staff also coordinate with other care providers — mental health, primary care, specialty, etc., and participate in treatment team meetings. Staff facilitate group activities and support groups, and on the weekends organize recreational activities. Our case managers who work with residents in scattered apartments visit the residents where they live and in the community, facilitate meetings in the shared apartments, help the residents with case management needs, teach daily living skills and provide general support for the residents’ recovery.
4. What’s it like working in Woodley Park? What are the positives? Are there any negatives?
Woodley Park is the BEST area to work! The neighborhood is lively, warm, and welcoming. This neighborhood has provided the most respectful and inclusive environment I have ever worked in and it shows in the impact on our residents’ recovery and growth. I see no negatives in Woodley Park.
5. Stigma is still a huge barrier for people living with mental-health conditions. What practical steps can Woodley Park neighbors take to foster a more inclusive, supportive community?
Our neighbors are so kind and their warmth and generous spirit seems to attract newcomers who are also wanting a community of civility and kindness. It has been this way for many decades and I hope the neighborhood never changes in this regard!
6. What’s one leadership lesson you wish someone had told you on day one?
In the moments when you see cruelty, whether it is an individual being cruel to a client or politicians making decisions that are so harmful as to be cruel — focus on what you can do to protect those you are responsible for and care for. This will help protect oneself from the impact to be able to continue doing the work.
7. Without breaching confidentiality, is there a resident story that captures Woodley House’s impact and stays with you?
This is a Woodley House neighbor story as much as a resident story:
One of our Woodley Park residents is a very friendly, sweet woman who loves to be outside. She had a significant health problem and was hospitalized for a while. While she was in the hospital, neighbors came by asking after her. One of the neighbors got the information about where she was and visited her regularly in the hospital. This is incredibly unusual, and in my 38 years of experience working in this exact field, the first time I had ever seen that happen!
8. Rapid-fire section (one-sentence answers)
- Favorite spot for a quick coffee or bite in Woodley Park? Petite Monde
- Hidden neighborhood gem most people overlook? Also Petite Monde
- Book on your bedside table right now? I just finished James by Percival Everett (excellent read!)
- One word that best describes Woodley House’s culture? Caring
- One small action any neighbor could take today to support mental health? Talk about it — treat it like any other health issue.
- Guilty pleasure? Ice cream
- New Year resolution that you’re actually keeping? Not to make New Year resolutions!
ENDS//
